Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu & Vinicunca | 5D/4N
Cusco is a place full of history and traditions. According to the local legends, the city of Cusco was founded by Manco Capac, the only survivor of the mytical Ayar brothers.
Before the 13th century, Cusco was inhabited by numerous native civilizations, like the Huari and Killke people. According to some historians, most of these peoples migrated from the area around Lake Titicaca.
The Inca civilization occupied the region of Cusco between the 13th and 16th centuries. They built temples, houses and fortresses mainly made of huge stone blocks. Under the lead of Pachacutec, the Incas conquered most of the Peruvian Andes, thus creating the largest native empire of South America.
After the Spanish conquest, the Inca monuments were abandoned. However, new colonial cities appeared near the ancient Inca sites. Some of these cities are Pisac and Ollantaytambo, both located in the Sacred Valley.
Highlights
You’ll explore the incredible region of Cusco and its astonishing Inca monuments. This travel package includes excursions to Cusco city and the near Inca monuments, such as Sacsayhuaman and Q’enqo.
You’ll also explore the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas and its numerous Inca ruins, including Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
The package also includes a tour to the citadel of Machu Picchu, and a short trek to the multicolored Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain.
DAY 1: CUSCO CITY TOUR
We’ll pick you up from the airport and then we’ll transfer you to your hotel room. You’ll have time to relax and recover from your trip before starting your adventure in Cusco.
At 1:00 pm, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and we’ll go to the Cusco Cathedral. The Cathedral is a colonial church built of stone. It houses several pieces of religious art. The art collection includes colonial paintings, sculptures, and delicate works of wood carving.
Then, we’ll walk to the Qorikancha temple, located next to the Santo Domingo church. The Qorikancha used to be covered in gold during the times of the Inca Empire. That’s the reason why it’s called “Qorikancha”, which translated to English means “Golden Palace”.
After touring the Qorikancha, we’ll take a minibus to Sacsayhuaman. Sacsayhuaman is often identify as a fortress due to its giant stone walls. However, some historians propose that this place was actually a temple dedicated to the Inca god of thunder Illapa.
Then, we’ll walk to Q’enqo, a nearby Inca temple. Q’enqo features complex stone carvings and an underground stone tunnel. To this day, the real purpose of Q’enqo is still unclear.
Next, we’ll explore the Puca Pucara fortress and the beautiful temple of Tambomachay. The latter displays some Inca water fountains that still work after centuries of their construction.
Finally, we’ll transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco.
DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS TOUR
We’ll pick you up from your hotel at 7:30 am. Then, we’ll drive to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Our first stop will be the town and archaeological complex of Pisac. The town has a traditional market where you can buy souvenirs and taste some of the local food.
On the other hand, the archaeological complex of Pisac is located near the town. It features numerous Inca buildings which were used as temples and residences for the Inca nobility.
Our next stop will be Urubamba town. We’ll have lunch here before continuing with our journey.
Afterwards, we’ll explore Ollantaytambo. Like Pisac, Ollantaytambo is a Inca site located next to a small town of the same name. Ollantaytambo was another residence for the Inca nobility. However, it was used as a fortress by the rebel Manco Inca in the early days of the Spanish conquest.
After exploring Ollantaytambo, we’ll go to the nearby train station, where we’ll take a train to Aguas Calientes.
The train trip takes around 2 hours. The railroad tracks go along the course of the Urubamba river. So, you’ll enjoy the beautiful Andean landscapes during this short trip.
Once in Aguas Calientes, our staff will transfer you to your hotel and brief you about the next day.
DAY 3: MACHU PICCHU TOUR
Early in the morning, we’ll take a bus to Machu Picchu citadel. The bus trip takes between 30 and 40 minutes.
Once in Machu Picchu, our staff will help you to pass the security checkpoints, and then the guided tour of the citadel will start. You’ll visit the most important places of Machu Picchu, including the Main Temple, the Temple of the Condor, the Intihuatana, and much more.
We’ll return to Aguas Calientes around 1:00 pm. You’ll have time to explore the town and have lunch in a traditional restaurant.
Around 6:00 pm, we’ll board a train to Ollantaytambo. Once there, our staff will transfer you back to Cusco city.
DAY 4: EXCURSION TO VINICUNCA RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
We’ll pick up from your hotel at 3:30 am. Then, we’ll drive to the Cusipata district, located in the southern part of Cusco region.
We’ll have breakfast once we arrive in Cusipata. Afterwards, we’ll continue our journey to the Hanchipata-Llama Chimpana community, where we’ll start our hike.
The hike to Vinicunca takes around 2 hours to complete. During this short trek you’ll get amazing views of the Andes mountains, specially the Ausangate snow-capped peak.
Once we arrive in Vinicunca, our guide will explain to you the cultural importance and history of the mountain. You’ll have time to take photos and appreciate the scenery.
Next, we’ll return to Hanchipata-Llama Chimpana, and then to Cusipata, where we’ll be having a traditional lunch. Finally, we’ll return to Cusco, where we’ll be arriving around 4 pm.
DAY 5: TRANSFER TO AIRPORT
After having explored the incredible region of Cusco and its beautiful Inca monuments, our staff will transfer you to the airport of Cusco.
What is Included:
Our services include transfers from and to the Cusco airport.
Personalized itinerary planning: Work with a Samextoursperu Designer to create the tour of your dreams.
Samextoursperu hosts take the hassle out of traveling. They’ll be there to assist you – whether with luggage, check in, transport or translating – at every destination during your private tour.
Got a question or query? Samextoursperu operate a 24-hour, seven day a week customer service operation and can provide updates and assistance whenever you need it.
With Samextoursperu, you’ll never be bundled in with big groups; each visit, activity, tour and experience will be completely private and conducted by your very own expert, English-speaking guide.
Our private tours of Peru are fully flexible, which means we can modify them to suit your travel mood. So if you want to cut an activity or add on a new one, just say the word!
All necessary adventure and trekking equipment will be provided so all you need bring is yourself.
Receive a customized Samextoursperu kit upon arrival.
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS
Our staff hand picks the best hotels in the country to ensure you experience utmost comfort and character.
Feel free to browse our recommendations and let us know if you’d like to incorporate a specific property in your customized journey!
Inkaterra la Casona
Casa Andina Premium Cusco
Palacio Manco Capac Hotel
Hotel Pozo del Cielo Colca
Prices are based on final accommodation choices, travel dates and other details within your tour, which are flexible to your individual interests and desires.
Feel free to reach us via email at info@samextoursperu.com or by calling us directly at +51942926118.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peru
South American Exclusive Tours Peru present you the list of Frequently Asked Questions about your travel in Peru, together with the detailed answers.
We hope it will provide you with the solid knowledge about the country and let you enjoy your stay to the fullest. We wish you all the best while preparing for your journey! Let it be a beautiful preparation period before the unforgettable experience in Peru and Cusco.
A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and depart Peru. Tourists must also provide evidence of return or onward travel. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a tourist stay of 90 days or less. U.S.
citizens remaining in Peru more than 90 days must pay a monthly fee to extend their visa for up to three additional months, for a total of six months. U.S.
citizens, including children, who remain in Peru over six months without obtaining a residence visa will have to pay a fine in order to depart Peru. Visitors for other than tourist or family visit purposes must obtain a Peruvian visa in advance.
Business visitors should ascertain the tax and exit regulations that apply to the specific visa that they are granted. U.S. citizens whose passports are lost or stolen in Peru must obtain a new passport and present it, together with a police report of the loss or theft, to the main immigration office in the capital city of Lima to obtain permission to depart.
An airport tax of $25 per person must be paid in U.S. currency when departing Peru. There is also a small airport fee for domestic flights.
For further information regarding entry requirements, travelers should contact the Peruvian Embassy at 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 605, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 462-1084 or 462-1085; Internet http://www.peruemb.org; or the Peruvian Consulate in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Patterson (NJ), San Francisco, or San Juan.
Spanish is the main official language, and is spoken by about 80% of the population. Quechua, Aymara and other indigenous languages are also official, Quechua is commonly spoken in many areas of the country, including Cuzco.
It is another book-size topic. In fact, it mostly depends on our behavior and attitude while travelling in Peru. Personally, I think that whenever you decide on travelling, it is always worth taking special precautions. Especially, when travelling to countries we have little knowledge about or the ones with different culture or language. In Peru, attitudes towards many issues or behaviour in particular situations in Peru might be way different that the one we are familiar with in Europe. Sometimes, even for me, it is really difficult to understand particular customs. One might find it hard to accept some things in Peru that in one’s country of origin are forbidden or viewed discourteous. What are the rules that you should get familiar with before coming to Peru? Please find all the necessary information in our article: “ Frequently Asked Questions”.
The Nuevo Sol (meaning ‘’new sun’’ in English) is the official currency. U.S. Dollars can be used in many stores, restaurants and other places, but it is best to have soles.
Before coming to Peru I advise you to check the information on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country of origin. It might also be useful to check the website of the Embassy of your country in Peru in order to seek for additional information. Currently, there are no obligatory injections for tourists coming to Peru. There exist recommended injections in case of visiting the jungle. The decision on whether to take an injection is the personal one and unfortunately, I cannot give you any final advices when it comes to this decision. The ultimate advice I can give you, is to visit your doctor and seek the professional advice depending on your health and preferences.
There is a variety of food from many different influences. The food is different in different regions of the country. There is indigenous influence in the food, in addition to influence from the various immigrant groups that arrived in Peru over the centuries. Ceviche, Pollo a la Brasa, Lomo Saltado, and Cuy are just a few of the many foods that are popular in Peru. Many international foods are also popular.
The easiest way to get to from Cusco to Machu Picchu is to take the train to Aguas Calientes (the town located a few miles from the site). It’s a scenic 3.5-hour trip each way along tracks that run right along the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley, with dramatic canyon walls on either side. Some train tips: The so-called Cusco train station is actually in the nearby town of Poroy. It’s a cheap taxi ride, but give yourself at least an hour to get from central Cusco to the train station. Traffic in Cusco can be brutal and seemingly never-ending road work makes things even more congested. There are three train companies to choose from: Inca Rail, Peru Rail, and the Belmond Hiram Bingham train. The Hiram Bingham service is on a gorgeous train gleaming with brass and polished wood and includes a white tablecloth meal with wine during your journey. It’s also much more expensive than Inca Rail or Peru Rail, both of which offer comfortable passage on different types of trains—including ones designed with extra windows for an additional fee. Whichever train you choose, book as far in advance as possible. Tickets sell out weeks ahead in some months. If train tickets from Cusco are sold out, all is not lost. Try to buy a ticket to Aguas Calientes that departs from the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, or vice versa. Taxis and mini vans between Ollantaytambo and Cusco (just over an hour each way) are plentiful. If you have the time, plan an overnight in Ollantaytambo to check out the town, which still features many Incan-built streets and buildings, as well as the archaeological site of the same name. Arrive as early as possible to the site to enjoy sunrise light and beat the tour buses.
It is not that straightforward to choose the one and only best month for traveling to Peru. Why is it so, that there is no clear answer to that question? In Peru, you can find three completely distinctive parts when it comes to weather and climate, namely the coast (la costa), the mountains (la sierra) and the jungle (la selva). Each part is characterized by completely different climate and, what is more, you can find distinctive microclimates within each of them. Consequently, there is no such a month that could be considered the best one when it comes to travelling to Peru. In order to fix this problem, you need to simply ask yourself one question: “What do I want to do in Peru”? As long as you are able to answer this question, you are safe and ready to choose the best time of the year to visit Peru! If you seek to find the detailed answer to this question, please read our article: “What are the best months for visiting Peru”? Remember that there is nothing worse than spending your ideal vacation at the time when your favourite activities are impossible to undertake.
The currency in Peru is Nuevo Sol. You can exchange one dollar for around 3.2 – 3.45 soles depending on the time of the year. It is very difficult to buy soles in Europe and that is why it is best to bring dollars or euros to Peru and exchange them on the spot. You can exchange your money basically in every Peruvian city, most often around the main squares (Plazas de Armas). Keep in mind that the banknotes you bring with yourself (euros or dollars) need to be in very good condition, so that you can exchange them without any problems. In case they are crushed or broken, you may find it difficult to get a good exchange rate or it might be impossible to exchange the money at all.
Peru is a varied and diverse country due to the climatic, natural and cultural diversity of its regions. It is 1,554 miles (2,500 km) long, and has 3 natural regions: Coast, Mountains (sierra) and Jungle. The Mountains (Machu Picchu, Cusco, Puno, Titicaca Lake) Mid April – October. This period is the dry season, with hot, dry days (20-25°C) and cold, dry nights, often hovering just above freezing, particularly in June and July. May is perhaps the best month with the countryside exceptionally lush, yet with superb views and fine weather. You’ll find the flowers in full bloom, the grass green and the streams full. Peru’s peak season is from June to September. You’ll find Cusco a pretty cosmopolitan city with tourists from all over the globe converging on Machu Picchu. The famous Inti Raymi, the festival of the Sun (24 June) draws thousands of visitors to Cusco, so its best to arrive early or make hotel reservations in advance. November – Mid April This is the wet season with most rain in January and February. It’s usually clear and dry most mornings with outbursts of heavy rain in the afternoons. The daily temperatures are typically 18°C with only a small drop at night, 15°C.The Inca Trail is much less crowded during this period and there’s a more abundant fresh water supply, but of course be well equipped for the rain. You’ll also find some roads may become impassable particularly when trying to visit villages off the beaten track. Many of Peru’s major festivals such as Carnival and Easter Week take place during this period. The Coast. ( Lima, Trujillo, Nazca ) December – April This is summertime on the coast where the weather is hot and dry and ideal for swimming and getting a tan. Temperatures on average range from 25 – 35°C. May – November From May to November the temperature drops a bit and you’ll find blankets of sea mist engulfing the coast from the south right up to about 200 km north of Lima. At this time of year only the northern beaches near Tumbes are warm enough to provide pleasant swimming.
Firstly, try to exchange as little money as possible at the airports, as the exchange rate is not very favorable. Then, it is best to search for the exchange offices in the city centers of Lima or Cusco. Keep in mind, that you may find it difficult to encounter exchange offices in smaller cities. However, there is no reason for panic! You can easily pay for various services or products directly in euros or dollars – expect the slightly higher exchange rate when paying directly with dollars or euros.
On reaching heights above 3000m, heart pounding and shortness of breath are a normal response to the lack of oxygen in the air. However, for some visitors these symptoms can deteriorate into a conditions known as Soroche (or acute mountain sickness) when you can start to experience headaches, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, sleeplessness and often nausea. Symptoms usually develop within the first day at altitude, but may be delayed by up to 2 weeks. To prevent Soroche, try to take things easy as soon as you arrive. Once settled in your hotel room have a lie down for a while and drink plenty of fluids. Don’t plan any strenuous treks until you’ve acclimatized for a few days. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and heavy food. Drinking mate de coca (an infusion of coca leaves – and perfectly legal in Peru ) may help. If symptoms become more severe and prolonged it is best to quickly seek medical attention and make arrangements to descend to a lower altitude. On recovery one can re-ascend slowly or in stages.
Unless you’re visiting Peru as part of a tour and your tickets will be bought for you, the short answer is YES! And starting last year (2018), the Peruvian government instituted major new changes for visiting Machu Picchu. Entrance tickets to the famed Inca site are now split into two times-a morning time (6AM-12PM) and an afternoon time (12-5:30PM). I’ve read that you need to adhere to the time on your ticket because otherwise you will be escorted to the exit by the authorities (and I don’t doubt this). The other major change is that now all visitors entering Machu Picchu need to be accompanied by a guide!
Machu Picchu opens every day of the year from 6 am to 5 pm To stay all day, the tourist needs to purchase 3 entrance tickets: from 6 am to 10 am; from 10 am to 2 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm The Machu Picchu ticket allows you to stay a maximum of 4 hours from the moment of admission.
Trains to Machu Picchu will only allow you to climb with your hand luggage and this should not exceed 5 kilos (11 pounds). That is why it is recommended to take Machu Picchu only what is absolutely necessary.
Accordion Content
Machu Picchu can be visited by people of all ages. If you plan to climb the Huayna Picchu mountain, remember that only people over 12 years old can travel it.
There’s a train that goes right to Machu Picchu?
No! All of the trains let you off in Aguas Calientes, a small (tourist) town that’s located right at the foot of Machu Picchu. Once in Aguas Calientes, you will need to purchase bus tickets, as a bus will then take you right to the entrance. (There’s no other way to get there save for walking.) Keep in mind the following-as the day progresses, more and more people will be descending on Aguas Calientes, making the line to purchase bus tickets incredibly long. Some people stay overnight in Aguas the night before they visit Machu Picchu for this reason, so they can be on the first bus of the day to Machu Picchu which starts running at 5:30AM. There are no set departure times, the buses simply depart when they are full. During peak times, the buses are said to depart every 10 minutes. However, if you’re in Cusco, you can purchase bus tickets there in advance. Something to consider to save on time.
Since 2009 there are 2 train companies to Machu Picchu: Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Both companies have different services from economic to private luxury services. Peru Rail – You can buy tickets online through their website: www.perurail.com. Payment is made with credit or debit cards. If you prefer, you can purchase tickets at their offices at the following addresses: Lima Office: Malecon de la Reserva 610 (Larcomar Shopping Center). Cusco Office: Portal de Carnes 214 (Plaza de Armas de Cusco). Wanchaq Office: Pachacutec Avenue s / n (Wanchaq District). Inca Rail – Its website is www.incarail.com. You can buy tickets through it and you can pay with Visa or MasterCard. You can also do in person at the following offices: Lima Office: Pérez Aranibar Avenue 1874, San Isidro, Lima. Cusco Office: Portal de Panes Street 105 (Plaza de Armas de Cusco).
Travel insurance is not obligatory, but in my opinion, it is extremely important to have one. In case of any emergency it may turn out to be very useful and allow for lowering the medical costs. From my experience, many people tend to make serious mistakes when choosing their insurance option. Most often the cheapest options do not cover all the medical costs, like transportation to your country of origin or insurance in case of an accident in high mountains. In order for the insurance to be sufficient for Peruvian realities it must amount to minimum 100 000 USD. What is more, the insurance must cover the accidents that may happen on the heights above 2000 m above the sea level. Whenever you suffer from chronic diseases, make sure your insurance include the additional clause taking into account your special conditions
If you have a question, you can contact us at info@samextoursperu.com. You can also enter our ‘Tips’ section, where you will find everything you need to know about the trip to Machu Picchu.
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